Best of the "newcomer" chains

[BlacknTan]

Good info here.. Thanks gents.

I buy 100' reels. When I need a chain, I need a chain. I have enough for the rest of my life... Unless I live longer than expected!

 

[kentuckyguy]

Stihl must have not been selling enough chain. I stopped by my local dealer yesterday and purchased 2 3/8”lp .050 55dl for $29. They have had a buy one get one half off on stihl chain for about 6 months now.

 

[blades]

might be trying to unload some inventory before having to do biz property taxes.

 

[Czed]

Stihl and Oregon are not newcomer chains
Stihl is good chain but they've had quality issues like they all have had
Then they decided to screw everybody over on chain prices year's ago.
I'd still buy Oregon though
Good quality on the versions I've bought.

 

[BlacknTan]

Stihl and Oregon are not newcomer chains
Stihl is good chain but they've had quality issues like they all have had
Then they decided to screw everybody over on chain prices year's ago.
I'd still buy Oregon though
Good quality on the versions I've bought.

Yes, I've been happy with Oregon... But the new X chain currently has me hooked.

 

[Maintenance Chief]

This is my problem with Archer, this is how mine came off the roll. It feels sharp and looks to have a decent corner but the beak under the top plate is almost 90° to the side plate ,and the gullet/ side is very up and down.
In that configuration it breaks wood fiber well enough but makes very short chips even when noodling.

I like them to come out about the size of my pinky nail in hard wood.
I sharpened it over , a little more aggressive.

 

[BK13]

Stihl must have not been selling enough chain. I stopped by my local dealer yesterday and purchased 2 3/8”lp .050 55dl for $29. They have had a buy one get one half off on stihl chain for about 6 months now.

I’ll have to stop by a dealer. I could use a couple more loops.

 

[jakethesnake]

I’ve run a good bit of the archer and liked it very well. I didn’t realize it but I have it on my 32” as well. So I’ll give it a good review. Had some other Chinese chain that wouldn’t stay on the bar. If held out straight the amount of bow in the chain was pretty sad side to side. Tri link sucks. I use it it functions.
Currently running Carlton Oregon stihl and some archer. Like all of those. Got a partial roll of Windsor semi. I don’t worry too much about off the roll sharpness. That’s just the first sharpening. Once it fills you have to sharpen anyhow.
Oh yeah I’ve got some old mac 404 chipper. It’s amazing

 

[RI Chevy]

I have a loop of Archer. Off the roll is ugly, but once you touch it up to your liking, it cuts well. Even Carlton box chain is ugly. It needs to be tuned before use.
Archer, Carlton box chain, Carlton after a couple of swipes.

 

[StihlMagnum440]

I’ve run a good bit of the archer and liked it very well. I didn’t realize it but I have it on my 32” as well. So I’ll give it a good review. Had some other Chinese chain that wouldn’t stay on the bar. If held out straight the amount of bow in the chain was pretty sad side to side. Tri link sucks. I use it it functions.
Currently running Carlton Oregon stihl and some archer. Like all of those. Got a partial roll of Windsor semi. I don’t worry too much about off the roll sharpness. That’s just the first sharpening. Once it fills you have to sharpen anyhow.
Oh yeah I’ve got some old mac 404 chipper. It’s amazing

I bought an Archer 32" bar and chain for $70-80 off eBay and I am very happy with it. I was not sure about 32" being too long but found out it was just right to use on a bunch of pine logs that were about that diameter (- large Dawgs on my chainsaw). Sure saved a lot of time making cookies out of the logs. Cut like butter even though logs were frozen in 0 degree overnite temps. No complaints after a couple of sharpenings although I am no expert.

 

[StihlMagnum440]

Good info here.. Thanks gents.

I buy 100' reels. When I need a chain, I need a chain. I have enough for the rest of my life... Unless I live longer than expected!

My Dad wanted to go halves on reels of chain just before he passed away. I kick myself for not taking him up in it. The picture is for Jakethesnake showing my 32" archer bar and chain combo I bought for cheap off eBay that I think is a great deal. Cut through the frozen pine log like butter and just the right length for one pass cutting. Real time saver and right price.

 

[StihlMagnum440]

This is my problem with Archer, this is how mine came off the roll. It feels sharp and looks to have a decent corner but the beak under the top plate is almost 90° to the side plate ,and the gullet/ side is very up and down.View attachment 320784 View attachment 320787
In that configuration it breaks wood fiber well enough but makes very short chips even when noodling.
View attachment 320788
I like them to come out about the size of my pinky nail in hard wood. View attachment 320789
I sharpened it over , a little more aggressive.

Well I guess with one sharpening you are happy and for the price I am happy with my 32" Archer bar and chain. Cut great before and after sharpening but guess I will check it if I get more chain. Going to see how this chain holds out. Have you done a bunch more cutting/sharpening with the chain? Have a good one.

 

[Maintenance Chief]

Well I guess with one sharpening you are happy and for the price I am happy with my 32" Archer bar and chain. Cut great before and after sharpening but guess I will check it if I get more chain. Going to see how this chain holds out. Have you done a bunch more cutting/sharpening with the chain? Have a good one.

I have used it a bunch , "happy with it" would be an over estimation of my feelings about it its adequate for light duty.

 

[StihlMagnum440]

I have used it a bunch , "happy with it" would be an over estimation of my feelings about it its adequate for light duty.

What chain do you recommend if you want to tell?

 

[StihlMagnum440]

This is my problem with Archer, this is how mine came off the roll. It feels sharp and looks to have a decent corner but the beak under the top plate is almost 90° to the side plate ,and the gullet/ side is very up and down.View attachment 320784 View attachment 320787
In that configuration it breaks wood fiber well enough but makes very short chips even when noodling.
View attachment 320788
I like them to come out about the size of my pinky nail in hard wood. View attachment 320789
I sharpened it over , a little more aggressive.

I wonder if the original factory sharpening worked OK for me because it was frozen and pine. I did look at the teeth and see exactly what you explained. My best deal on chain was Oregon loops for $2 or $3 each from a store that was liquidating. It is Oregon safety chain so I have to grind off a bunch of extra safety crap but it runs fine after that. I have Stihl chain also and a bunch of other brands. Biggest thing is to keep them sharp as we all know. The guy buying it by the reels sounds like the best idea...just gotta be sure you plan on keeping the saw with bar/chain combo. I have had my StihlMagnum 440 since 2007 and it is a lifer for me.

 

[jakethesnake]

I have used it a bunch , "happy with it" would be an over estimation of my feelings about it its adequate for light duty.

Maybe you got a bad loop or a few bad ones. I’m running skip still. I’ve had really good luck with the stuff. Still cuts straight even after many hand filing. I know I’m not perfect. I think on all my short bars 20 and under I’d buy it again. I don’t know what the price difference is now between it and Oregon. Oregon is still my fav. But I can certainly use archer. Even on a 32” bar


I’ve never tried the bars but my short 20” and under bars I always buy the cheapest I can find. Currently running throw away Home Depot rental bars. I like cheap laminate bars when running short bars because they’re very light.

 

[Maintenance Chief]

What chain do you recommend if you want to tell?

Honestly I've been using some old Oregon #52 lately and its absolutely amazing for 30-40 year design.

 

[Maintenance Chief]

Maybe you got a bad loop or a few bad ones. I’m running skip still. I’ve had really good luck with the stuff. Still cuts straight even after many hand filing. I know I’m not perfect. I think on all my short bars 20 and under I’d buy it again. I don’t know what the price difference is now between it and Oregon. Oregon is still my fav. But I can certainly use archer. Even on a 32” bar


I’ve never tried the bars but my short 20” and under bars I always buy the cheapest I can find. Currently running throw away Home Depot rental bars. I like cheap laminate bars when running short bars because they’re very light.

That could be that I got a bad roll from Amazon? Maybe a dealer who is face to face with me would have inspected the inventory.
Either way the Archer bar that i put on my Pro Mac 800 starter to show wear with very little use ,so I haven't had any "good" luck with the brand.

 

[jakethesnake]

That could be that I got a bad roll from Amazon? Maybe a dealer who is face to face with me would have inspected the inventory.
Either way the Archer bar that i put on my Pro Mac 800 starter to show wear with very little use ,so I haven't had any "good" luck with the brand.

I’d avoid them as well with that experience. I’ve had pretty good luck with the chains. Good customer service from arch plus. Took a year I think but he got me some 3/8 semi chisel skip in .058. Spun what I wanted and gave me a discount.

all that still , Ol Oregon is pretty hard to beat

 

[davidwyby]

What i have heard and seems to be true is Oregon for speed, play, soft clean wood, stihl for work. Stihl holds an edge just a bit better.